Message storing and reproducing system separately comprising processors and storages

Abstract

For a service with no interruption even upon occurrence of a fault in a message processor, such message processors and message storages are separately included in a message processing and reproducing system and are connected through a control device which makes an exchange network use another message processor upon occurrence of the fault.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A message storing and reproducing system comprising: primary means for processing, into processed messages, transmission messages sent from a plurality of subscriber sets;   secondary means for storing said processed messages as stored messages for reproduction; and   control means for controlling connection between said primary and said secondary means in response to a fault indication in said primary means,   wherein said primary means further processes, into reproduced messages for transmission to said subscriber sets, the stored messages sent from said secondary means through said control means additionally as said transmission messages in response to a reproduction request,   wherein said subscriber sets are connected to said message storing and reproducing system through an exchange network,   wherein said primary means comprises a first predetermined number of message processors, less in number than in said plurality of subscriber sets, for processing into said processed messages, respectively, the transmission messages sent from said subscriber sets through said exchange network, and for processing into said reproduced messages, respectively, the stored messages sent from said secondary means through said control means,   wherein said secondary means comprising a second predetermined number of message storages for storing as said stored messages, respectively, the processed messages sent from said message processors through said control means, said second predetermined number being not greater than said first predetermined number,   wherein said indication indicates a fault in one of said message processors,   wherein said control means transmits a query periodically to each of said message processors and discriminates said fault in one of said message processors when no response is received from said one of message processors in response to said query, and   wherein said one of said message processors is placed off-line as a result.   
     
     
       2. The message storing and reproducing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means produces in response to said indication a blocking signal which makes said exchange network use, instead of said one of message processors, another of said message processors in processing one of said transmission and said stored messages that is sent from one of said subscriber sets through said exchange network and said message storages through said control means. 
     
     
       3. The message storing and reproducing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means comprises an asynchronous transfer mode switch-connected to said message processors and storages and switch control means for controlling said asynchronous transfer mode switch in response to whichever of said indication and said reproduction request. 
     
     
       4. The message storing and reproducing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said processors and storages are connected to said asynchronous transfer mode switch by a plurality of asynchronous transfer mode channels. 
     
     
       5. The message storing and reproducing system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said asynchronous transfer mode switch and channels are used collectively as a local area network. 
     
     
       6. The message storing and reproducing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of asynchronous transfer mode hubs between said control means and said message processors and said message storages. 
     
     
       7. The message storing and reproducing system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said control means produces in response to said indication a blocking signal which makes said exchange network use, instead of said one of message processors, another of said message processors in processing one of said transmission and said stored messages that is sent from one of said subscriber sets through said exchange network and said message storage through said control means. 
     
     
       8. The message storing and reproducing system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said control means comprises an asynchronous transfer mode switch connected to said asynchronous mode transfer mode hubs and switch control means for controlling said asynchronous transfer mode hubs in response to whichever of said indication and said reproduction request. 
     
     
       9. A message storing and reproducing system comprising: a primary unit configured to process, into processed messages, transmission messages sent from a plurality of subscriber sets, said primary unit comprising a plurality of message processors;   a secondary unit configured to store said processed messages as stored messages, said secondary unit comprising a plurality of message storages; and   a controlling unit configured to control the connection between said primary unit and said secondary unit in response to either a fault indication in at least one of said plurality of message processors or a busy indication in at least one of said plurality of message storages,   wherein said controlling unit is further configured to periodically transmit a query to each of said plurality of message processors to determine whether a fault exists in one or more of said plurality of message processors,   wherein said one or more of said plurality of message processors that have a fault are placed off-line as a result, and   wherein said fault indication is based on a failure of said one or more of said plurality of message processors to respond to said query.